He Ditched His Bride for Her Pregnant Sister

Mrs. Morgan pulled Miranda Jenkins into a comforting embrace, patting her back gently while venting her frustration about Adalee. "Adalee acted like a complete fool and made Miranda the laughingstock of the whole ceremony. How could she do something like that to her own sister? And she doesn't even show a trace of remorse!"

Adalee had been evasive about her child's father from the start, only breaking down and confessing at Miranda's wedding—clearly stirring up a storm.

Mrs. Morgan felt heartbroken—what kind of daughter had she raised, anyway?

Mr. Morgan's face darkened. "When she comes home, she owes you a sincere apology. What's done is done; we can't undo it. And since she's Mrs. Nichols now, there's no point dwelling on it. I'll help you find someone better than Cruz."

Miranda was deeply displeased. The difference in treatment between a biological and an adopted child was as clear as day.

Adalee had stolen her fiancé and humiliated her in front of everyone. Yet all the Morgans demanded was an apology, refusing to impose anything harsher.

Find her someone better than Cruz Nichols? Who on earth could possibly top him?!

She'd been this close to becoming Cruz Nichols' wife! And now he was with Adalee—that insufferable woman—it was unbearable!

She swore she'd take Cruz back from Adalee!

Cruz Nichols only married Adalee because she was pregnant. If that problem went away, then maybe...

Miranda smirked, determined to get rid of Adalee's unborn child!

Adalee woke to a change in her surroundings. Gone were the luxurious tones of the hotel suite, replaced by a dimly lit, spacious bedroom—every corner stark and subdued, save for a floral wreath hanging above the bed.

A fog clouded her mind, and she had no memory of how she'd gotten here. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep and a troubling dream.

In that dream, Miranda Jenkins was trying to snatch her newborn daughter away. Adalee fought back and reclaimed her baby, tears of joy streaming down her face as her little one reached out to embrace her, creating a beautifully tender moment.

Just then, the door swung open, and two young maids stepped in.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm Avery Larson, assigned by Mr. Nichols to be at your service."

"Hi, ma'am. I'm Gia Shaw."

Adalee still felt groggy from her deep sleep, rubbing her temples as she squinted at the two nervous maids, her voice thick with drowsiness. "Where am I?"

Avery beamed. "This is Mr. Nichols' private mansion, ma'am. You're the first woman he's ever brought here!"

Gia nodded like a bobblehead. "Yes, yes! Mr. Nichols carried you in himself! You were like a soft little kitten in his arms, swept off your feet by the handsome Mr. Nichols. It was straight out of a romance novel!"

Adalee smirked. The vivid imagery conjured a scene in her mind. These two were clearly lost in their own romantic fantasies.

She let out a light chuckle. "The mighty CEO, carrying his beloved—sounds like you've read one too many romance novels."

Avery and Gia giggled, scratching their heads.

They couldn't help it. The allure of a powerful CEO was irresistible—and Mr. Nichols embodied it perfectly. How could they not daydream?

Looking at the two starry-eyed maids, Adalee felt a pang of nostalgia. Once upon a time, she'd harbored romantic dreams just like theirs.

But now...

Adalee gently touched her belly. "Where's your master? Where did he go?"

Avery answered, "Mr. Nichols went back to the family estate alone."

Back to the estate? Adalee recalled the fiasco at the wedding. The Nichols family would undoubtedly find her actions outrageous—they were probably wishing she'd never crossed their path.

Thankfully, Cruz hadn't dragged her straight to the estate, sparing her the full onslaught of their questioning.

Adalee was grateful she'd slept through the whole commotion, dodging a heap of trouble.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Where's my phone?"

She'd left it on the nightstand in the hotel bridal suite. Hopefully, Cruz had thought to bring it.

Avery spoke up. "Mr. Nichols handed me your phone, ma'am, but he instructed us to make sure you don't use it too much. Too much screen time isn't good for your baby."

Adalee was taken aback by Cruz's attentiveness. He'd even arranged two maids to keep her from burying her face in her phone.

She agreed easily. "Understood. Please give it to me."

Avery handed it over.

Adalee turned it on and was immediately greeted by a headline and a video of her scandalous interruption at the wedding, along with a flood of comments.

"How did someone like Adalee end up with a billionaire like Cruz Nichols? She doesn't deserve him!"

"Yes! Adalee came out of nowhere, no class at all. How can she possibly match the sophisticated Mr. Nichols?"

"I was fine with Cruz marrying Miranda. Miranda's an Ivy League grad, accomplished in the arts—a world above that nobody Adalee."

"Our Mr. Nichols with Adalee? Like a rose in a weed patch. What a shame!"

"Once Adalee pops out the kid, she'll be kicked to the curb!"

"No way a man with Mr. Nichols' standards would truly choose someone like Adalee!"

Adalee replied lazily, "Sour grapes, that's all," and closed the app.

Let them chatter—she was merely an observer.

Then she dialed Mr. Morgan's number.

The call got disconnected.

Frowning, she tried her mother. Same result.

Clearly, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were conspiring, refusing her calls.

Who knew what poison Miranda was feeding them to make them ignore her altogether?

Determined, she turned to Avery and Gia. "Can one of you lend me a phone for a call?"

Gia immediately offered hers. "Ma'am, use mine."

"Thanks."

Adalee's eyes twinkled as she took the phone and expertly dialed Mr. Morgan's number.

Sure enough, he answered promptly, mistaking the call for a legitimate one.

"Hello, who is this? If you're trying to scam me, I'll report you!"